Papermaking machine



June 27, 1967 P. J. LINK ETAL 3,327,959

PAPERMAKING' MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 6, 1964 m m. WW

June 27, 1967 P J, |NK ETAL 3,327,959

PAPERMAKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 6, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 2y i 7 a, v ai I LI 1 June 27, 1967 P. J. LINK ETAL PAPERMAKING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 6, 1964 June 27, 1967 P. J. LINK ETAL 3,327,959

PAPERMAKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 6, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 27, 1967 P. .1. LINK ETAL 3,327,959

PAPERMAKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 6, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 @51 6 68 fi IIIIIIII I I YIHHIHIWH 'IIIIIIII June 27, 1967 P. J. LINK ETAL PAPERMAKING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 6, 1964 illV/J Z g J 1967 P. J. LINK ETAL PAPERMAKING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Oct. 6, 1964 u 1967 P. J. LINK ETAL PAPERMAKING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed on. e, 1964 United States Patent 3,327,959 PAPERMAKING MACHINE Peter .1. Link and Bernard 0. Stieg, Neenah, Wis, as-

signors to Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Neenah, Wis, a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 6, 1964, Ser. No. 401,903 6 Claims. (Cl. 242-58.3)

The invention relates to papermaking machines and more particularly to unwinding apparatus for paper rolls.

It is an object of the present invention to provide im proved apparatus of this type adapted to carry a roll of paper being unwound and for providing a continuous supply of paper web from this roll and from a new paper roll also carried by the apparatus, which has its web fastened to the web from the expiring paper roll, without stoppage of the apparatus. More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide such apparatus which pastes the web from a new paper roll carried by the apparatus to the web from an expiring paper roll and simultaneously cuts the latter web so as to supply a 0011- tinuous web from the apparatus.

In a preferred form, the apparatus comprises a pair of hooks for raising an expiring paper roll from its original unwinding position, so that a new, full sized paper roll may be moved into this position. The machine also preferably includes a paster roll which is movable by power means to have a nip with the new, full sized paper roll in this first position; so that fastening tape on the end of the web of the new roll may adhere to the web from the expiring paper roll to provide a continuous web, and a knife which is simultaneously movable to cut the web from the expiring roll. The apparatus preferably also includes arms positioned above the new, full sized roll for receiving the expired paper roll on a lowering of the hooks holding the expired roll, for easy removal of the expired roll from the apparatus.

The invention consists of the novel constructions, arrangements and devices to be hereinafter described and claimed for carrying out the above stated objects, and such other objects, as will be apparent from the follow ing description of a preferred form of the invention, illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an unwinding machine for rolls of paper taken from the loading side of the machine, the machine embodying the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the unwinding machine taken from line 22 of FIG. 1 inthe direction indicated;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale of a horizontally movable pusher assembly for moving a new roll of paper from an active position to an inactive position, looking at the right side of the machine as it is illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view taken from the discharge side of the machine illustrating drive mechanism for the horizontally movable pusher assembly;

FIG. 6 is a view taken from the loading side of the machine as it is illustrated in FIG. 1 and showing on an enlarged scale a paper roll driving mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 77 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 99 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 1010 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale lice of a portion of the unwinding machine taken from line 11-11 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken on line 13-43 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 14-14 of FIG. 1 and showing a movable web guide roll actuated by a cam mounted on a carriage, with .the carriage being shown in raised position for clarity of illustration;

FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 are sectional views taken on lines 15-45, 1616 and 17--17 respectively, of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a spring roll assembly looking at the assembly in the same manner as in FIG. 2;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 19-19 of FIG. 18 at the center of the springroll assembly;

FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of a core for a paper roll which may be utilized in the illustrated machine; and

FIGS. 21, 22, 23 and 24 are diagrammatic side elevational views of the machine illustrating the manner in which various of the parts of the machine move with respect to each other and the manner in which paper rolls are unwound by means of the machine.

Like characters of reference designate like parts in the several views.

Referring now, in particular, to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the illustrated unwinding machine may be seen to comprise in general a frame 25 including an auxiliary framework 26 for supporting a new roll of paper which is about to be moved into unwinding position, a transfer slide mechanism 27 movable vertically on the frame 25 and adapted to raise an expiring roll of paper, reel lock mechanism 28 for holding a paper roll being unwound in unwinding position prior to vertical movement by the slide mechanism 27, a spool ejector assembly 29, a cutoff knife assembly 30, a knife roll assembly 31, a paster roll assembly 32, an aligning roll 33, a spring roll assembly 34, a second aligning roll 35, a paper roll driving mechanism 36, a paper roll braking assembly 37 and a pusher assembly 38 for horizontally moving a roll of paper from an inactive position to an active position.

The frame 25 is mounted on any suitable base or floor A. The auxiliary framework 26 comprises a pair of horizontal beams 39 each carrying a rail 45) with each rail providing a horizontal surface 41 disposed below its uppermost surface. Each of the horizontal beams 39 carries an end stop 42, a guide shaft 43 and a pusher screw 44. Each screw 44 is rotatably mounted in bearings 45 and 46 (see FIG. 4). Carriages 47 and 48 are slidably disposed on the guide shafts 43, and each of them includes a nut 49 in threaded engagement with the associated screw 44. Each of the carriages 47 and 48 includes a roller 50 (see FIG. 4) and a core shaft stop link 51 that is swingably disposed on the carriage. The stop link 51 is adapted to rest on and be supported by the associated horizontal surface 41.

A roll of paper 52 is adapted to be carried on the rails 40 by means of a core 53. Referring to FIG. 20, the core 53 may be seen to comprise a portion 54 of relatively large diameter (12 inches, for example) on which the paper roll 52 is wound and a shaft 55 rigidly connected with the portion 54 on each end of the latter. Each shaft 55 carries on its end an enlarged cylindrical part 56 having an internal, protruding core portion 57 which is square in crosssection. A pair of spools 58 are rotatably mounted between the cylindrical parts 56 and the large diameter portion 54. Each of the spools 58 comprises rim portions 58a and 58b spaced by a groove 580. The spools 58 are each rotatably mounted on a shaft 55 by means of bearings 59 and 6G.

The pusher screws 44 are drivingly connected to miter gear boxes 61 and 62 of any suitable construction. A shaft 63 extends across the machine and connects the miter gear boxes 61 and 62. A motor 64 is drivingly connected with the miter gear box 62 so as to thereby drive one of the screws 44 through the miter gear box 62 and to drive the other screw 44 through the shaft 63 and miter gear box 61.

The paper roll 52 when in operative unwinding position located adjacent to the main portion of the frame is adapted to be driven and braked by means of the driving mechanism 36 (see FIGS. 1 and 6). The driving mechanism 36 comprises an electric motor 65 drivingly connected with a speed reducer 66. The speed reducer 66 is connected with a driven shaft 67 by means of a coupling 68, and a clutch assembly 69 is splined on to the shaft 67. The clutch assembly 69 includes a coupling 70 having internal and external cylindrical surfaces 70 and 71 between which is disposed a doughnut-shaped element 72 of rubber-like material. The assembly 69 includes a grooved hub portion 73 which is slidably connected to the shaft 67 by means of splines 74, and a collar 75 fits within an external groove provided in the hub portion 73. A yoke 76 embraces the collar 7 5, and the yoke is swingably mounted at 77 so as to constitute a lever. The motor 65 and speed reducer 66 are mounted on a base 78, and the shaft 67 and clutch assembly 69 are mounted on a sub-base 78m. A piston type motor 79 mounted in the sub-base 78a is operatively connected with the lower end of the yoke lever 76 so as to be effective to move the assembly 69 longitudinally with respect to the shaft 67. The assembly 69 includes a cylindrical portion 80 provided with an indentation 81 in its end which is square in cross-section and is of a size to receive one of the square protruding portions 57 of the core 53 so that the motor 65 may be effective to drive or brake the core 53 through the reducer 66 and doughnut element 72 which functions as a vibration absorber.

The reel lock mechanism 28 comprises a carriage 82 (see FIG. 7) which is mounted for movement parallel with the core 53 in its unwinding position by means of rollers 83 disposed in ways 84, all of these parts being positioned on the right side of the machine as seen in FIG. 1. A hook 85 is swingably disposed on the carriage 82, and the hook is adapted to embrace the rim portion 58a of the core 53, as will hereinafter appear. The book 85 is connected on its lower end with a piston rod 86 of a fluid pressure operated motor 87 that is swingably mounted at one end on the carriage 82. The carriage 82 carries a nut 88 (see FIG. 8); and a screw 89, which is rotatably disposed within a portion of the frame 25, extends through the nut. The screw 89 is drivingly connected with a motor 90 through a coupling 91.

The reel lock mechanism 28 also includes a hook 92 (see FIG. 9) on the left side of the machine as the machine is illustrated in FIG. 1. The hook 92 is swingably disposed on a carriage 93 and is connected to a fluid pressure operated motor 94 mounted on the carriage 93. The carriage 93 is movable transversely of the machine by reason of rollers 95 mounted on the carriage and movable in ways 96. The hook 92, carriage 93, motor 94 and rollers 95 on the left side of the machine correspond respectively with the parts 85, 82, 87 and 83 on the other side of the machine. Spring loaded centering mechanism is provided for holding the carriage 93 yieldably in a central position with respect to the movement that may occur due to the movement of the rollers 95 in the ways 96, and this mechanism comprises a spring loading screw 97 (see FIG. 10) centered in a stationary part of the frame 25. The screw 97 is connected by means of a part 98 with the carriage 93, and a pair of springs 99 and 100 are provided between stationary parts 101 and 102 and stop collars 103 of enlarged diameter disposed on and sliding with respect to the shaft 97.

The transfer slide assembly 27 includes a pair of lift hooks 104 and 105 (see FIG. 1) disposed on opposite sides of the machine. The book 104 on the right side of the .4 machine is swingably mounted in a carriage 106 (see FIG. 2) which is slidably disposed on vertical ways 107. A lift screw 108 is positioned between the ways 107 and extends through the carriage 106. A nut 109 is fixed on the carriage 106, and the screw 108 extends through the nut. The screw is rotatably mounted at its lower end with respect to the frame 25 by means of a bearing 110.

The lift hook 105 is located on the left side of the machine as seen in FIG. 1 and is swingably mounted on a carriage 111 (see FIG. 11) which is movably disposed on vertical ways 112 on the frame 25. A nut 113 is fixed with respect to the carriage 111, and a vertically disposed screw 114 extends through the nut 113 and is rotatably mounted in a supporting bearing 115. The Ways 112, nut 113 and screw 114 correspond to the ways 107, nut 109 and screw 108 for the hook 104 on the other side of the machine.

The screws 108 and 114 are simultaneously driven for the purpose of simultaneously raising the two hooks 104 and 105 for simultaneously lifting the two ends of the core 53 and a paper roll 52 on the core. The motive power for raising the hooks is supplied by a motor 116 (see FIG. 1) mounted on the top of the frame 25 and connected with a miter gear bear 117 of conventional construction. The miter gear box 117 is connected by two power transmission shafts 118 and 119 with worm gear boxes 120 and 121 which are in turn drivingly coupled with the screws 108 and 114 for rotating the screws. A selectively operable brake 122 is provided in connection with the worm gear box 120 for the purpose of braking the shaft 119 and thereby all of the other movable parts connected with this shaft.

The rolling braking assembly 37 moves with the hook 105 and comprises a bracket 124 which is fixed to the carriage 111 for the hook 105. A carriage 125 is slidably disposed on a way 126 which is fixed to the bracket 124. A hydraulically operated piston type motor 127 (see FIG. 12) is fixed -by means of a clevis 128 to the carriage 125, and the other end of the motor 127 is fixed with respect to the bracket 124 so as to move the carriage 125 on the way 126 when the motor 127 is energized.

The assembly 37 also includes a hydraulic clutching device 129 which is similar in some respects to the clutch assembly 69. The device 129 includes an outer cylindrical surface 130 formed in a shell 131 and a hollow inflatable member 132 fittin-g within the surface 130. An air conduit 133 connectable with any suitable air pressure source is connected to the member 132 for the purpose of inflating the member 132. The internal diameter of the inflatable member 132 is slightly greater than the diameter of the cylindrical portions 56 on the core 53 so that the member 132 may be easily slipped over a portion 56 and the member 132 may be inflated to grip the portion 56.

The shell 131 is fixed through intermediate parts on a shaft 134 which is rotatably disposed in a bushing 135 fixed on the carriage 125. The shaft 134 has brake discs 136 and 137 splined to it, and these discs are disposed between pressure plates 138, 139, 140 and 141 which grip the discs 136 and 137 due to the action of any suitable pressure applying mechanism (not shown), for the purpose of braking the shaft 134.

The bracket 124, in addition to being supported by the carriage 111 carrying the hook 105, is supported for vertical movement by means of a fixed vertical bar 142 (see FIG. 11). The carriage 124 has a pair of brackets 143 and 144 fixed to it, and bearings 145 and 146 carried by the brackets 143 and 144 embrace and are in engagement with the bar 142 for this purpose. The spool ejector assembly 29 comprises fixed vertical posts 147 and 148 (see FIG. 1). Brackets 149 and 150 are fixed on the upper ends of the posts 147 and 148, and each of these brackets is provided with a core receiving bracket 151 (see FIG. 2) having a downwardly slanted upper surface 151a and an arcuate end surface 151b. A pair of spool pickup arms 152 are swin'gably mounted on each of the brackets 151, and a resilient abutment stop 153 is provided in connection with each pair of the arms 152 yieldably holding the arms from downward movement about their pivot points.

The knife roll assembly 31 comprises a roll 154 (see FIGS. 1, 14 and rotatably mounted between arms 155 and 156 which are fixed to a tube 157. The tube 157 is rotatably mounted by means of bearings 158 and 159 with respect to the frame 25. The tube 157 also carries arms 168 and 161, each of which has a cam follower roller 162 rotatably disposed on its end. A cam 163 and a cam, similar to but reversed with respect to the cam 163, are provided for receiving the rollers 162 carried by the arms 161 and 160, respectively; and these cams are respectively mounted on the carriages 196 and 111.

The cutoffknife assembly 38 comprises a knife shaft 164 (see FIG. 1) which is rotatably mounted with respect to the tube 157 by means of a plurality of bearings 165 that are fixed to the tube 157. A knife 166 (see FIG. 15) is fixed with respect to the shaft 164 by means of a plurality of arms 167 fastened to the shaft 164. A piston type air motor 168 is provided for rotating the shaft 164 together with the knife 166. The air motor 168 is swingably fastened on a bracket 169 that in turn is fixed with respect to the tube 157. The motor 168 includes a piston rod 170 that is pivotally connected to an arm 171 fixed with respect to the shaft 164. A stop 172 (see FIG. 16), cooperating with a stop arm 173 fixed on the shaft 164, is provided for limiting the rotation of the shaft 164 and of the knife 166.

The paster roll assembly 32 (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 17) comprises a shaft 174 that is rotatably disposed in the frame by means of bearings 175. The shaft 174 is rotated by means of a power driven screw assembly 176. The assembly 1'76 includes a pivot stand 177 pivotally mounted on a base 178 fixed to the floor A. A worm gear case 179 is mounted on the top of the pivot stand 177, and the case houses a worm 188 in mesh with a worm gear 181. The worm gear 181 is supported by suitable bearings within the stand 177 and has its bore threaded to engage a screw 182. A pivotal connection 183 is provided between the upper end of the screw 182 and a lever arm 184 that is fixed to the shaft 174.

The shaft 174 carries a pair of spaced upwardly extending arms 185. A link 186 is pivotally mounted with respect to each of the arms 185, and each link 186 has a roller 187 rotatably mounted on its end. The rollers 187 are disposed in guide ways 1% of cam guides 191 to internal surfaces of the frame 25.

A paster roll 192 is rotatably mounted with respect to arms 193, and each of the arms 193 is swingably mounted on one of the arms 186. An air piston motor 195 is swingably connected to the end of each of the arms 186 by means of an extension 196, and the piston of each motor 195 is connected to the end of an arm 193. The arms 193 each carries an adjustable stop 197 which is adapted to contact a. stop 198 fixed on the associated arm 186 forlimiting movement of the arms 193 and roll 192.

The worm gear 188 is driven from a motor 199 through a coupling 28%), the motor being mounted on a bracket 201 fixed with respect to the pivot stand 177 (see FIG. 1).

A pointer 202 indicates the rotative position of the arms 185 and is swingably mounted on the exterior of the frame 25 and operates in conjunction with a linear scale 20 3. The pointer is rotatively fixed with respect to a swinging arm 284 mounted on the frame 25, and the arm 284 is connected on its outer end with the shaft 174 by means of a link 205 and a lug 286 fixed with respect to the shaft 174.

The rolls 33 and am simple turning rolls and are respectively rotatably mounted between opposite verti- 6 cal parts of the frame 25 by means of bearings 207 and 2118 (see FIG. 2).

The spring roll assembly 34 comprises a roll 209 rotatably mounted between a pair of arms 210 by means of bearings 211 (see FIG. 18). The arms 210 are fixed on a pair of sleeves 212 rotatably mounted on bearings attached to vertical parts of the frame 25. The pair of sleeves 212 are connected to a pair of shafts 213 by a connector sleeve 214 centered between arms 210 so that each arm resists one-half of the total torque transmitted by the two shafts 213 (see FIG. 19). A pair of arms 215 are fixed on opposite ends of the shafts 213, and a compression spring 216 is disposed between the end of each of the arms 215 and a spring retainer 217 adjustably fixed with respect to an upper portion of the frame 25.

A stop arm 218 is fixed on each sleeve 212, and each of the stop arms 218 is adapted to contact a yieldable bumper 219 fixed with respect to the frame 25. An hydraulic shock absorber 228 is suitably mounted on the frame 25 and is connected to one arm 211) by means of a lug 221.

The paper under tension may be drawn from the unwind mechanism on to any suitable converting apparat-us such as on to a slitter 222 which comprises a pair of web support rolls 223 and 224 and a pair of slitter discs 225 and 226 disposed above and below the web being drawn through the slitter.

In operation, a roll of paper, such as the paper roll 52, wound about a core 53, is positioned on the rails 40 with the rim portions 58a and 58b embracing the rails. The carriages 47 and 48 are positioned at the ends of their travel adjacent the stops 42, and the rim portions 58b are disposed within the concave upper surfaces of the core shaft stop links 51, and the rollers 50 also contact and are aligned with these rim portions 58b.

The carriages 47 and 48 are then moved from left to right, as seen in FIG. 2, and the rollers 50 bear against the rim portions 58b of the. core 53 and move the core and paper roll 52 in this direction until the carriages are at the limit of their movement. The core 53 is then positioned just below the ways 107 and 112 and the paper roll is in the position of the smaller roll shown in FIG. 21. This movement of the carriages 47 and 48 is obtained by energizing the motor 64 and driving the screws 44 through the gear boxes 61 and 62 and the shaft 63. The carriages 47 and 48 have nuts 49 through which the screws 44 project, and this threaded engagement causes the carriages to move on their guide shafts 43. When the roll 52 is in this position, the hooks and 92 are move-d into operative positions by energizing motors 87 and 94 so that these hooks embrace the core 53 and particularly the rims 58a. The books then hold the core and the paper roll 52 in an unwinding position, with the core 53 being disposed directly beneath the ways 197 and 112. The carriages 47 and 48 may then be returned to their positions adjacent the stops 42 for the purpose of receiving another core 53 and paper roll 52.

The clutch assembly 69 is then moved into engagement with the core 53 and particularly with one of the square portions 57. The indentation 81 in the cylindrical portion 88 is moved to engage with the adjacent square portion 57 on the core 53, and a driving connection is thus established between the core 53 and the motor 65, the connection being through the speed reducer 66, the shaft 67 and the clutch assembly 69. The movement of the clutch assembly 69 is obtained by energizing the motor 78 which is effective through the thrust rod 79 and the yoke 76 for this purpose. The motor 65, acting through the speed reducer 66 and the clutch assembly 69, is under these conditions preferably used principally as a drag, tending to hold the roll 52 from rotation so that the web W being drawn from the roll is kept under substantial tension. 7

With the roll 52 being in this position, the braking assembly 37 is also moved into effective connection with the core 53. The motor 127 (see FIG. 12) is energized, and this is effective through the clevis 128 to move the carriage 125 toward the core 53. The clutching device 129 is thereby moved to telescope with the adjacent cylindrical part 56 of the core 53, with the inflatable member 132 overlying the cylindrical part 56. The member 132 then may have air under pressure supplied to it so as to complete a driving connection between the core 53 and the brake discs 136 and 137 through the shaft 134 for braking the paper roll 52; however, the assembly 37 is preferably not rendered operative until the connection of the core 53 with the motor 65 is subsequently broken, as will be hereinafter described.

The paper web is drawn under tension from the roll 52 which is positioned beneath the ways 107 and 112, around the roll 192, the roll 33, the roll 209, the roll 35 and across the rolls 223 and 224 of the slitter 222 (see FIGS. 2 and 21); and the web W is subsequently wound on a suitable mandrel (not shown) which is driven from any suitable source of power. The slitter discs 225 and 226 split the web W into two halves or parts in accordance with conventional practice. The spring roll assembly 34, including the roll 209 about which the web W travels, functions to hold the web W and to absorb any unusual changes of tension in the web W. The roll 209 swings about the center of the sleeves 212, with the springs 216 yielding due to the tension in the web. The stops 219 limit the amount of return movement that the roll 209 may have upon breakage or removal of the web W.

The roll 52, when first moved into position for unwinding, may be rather large in diameter, such as 72 inches. When a substantial amount of the paper has been unwound from the roll so that its diameter is substantially less, such as 16 inches, for example, then the depleted roll is moved upwardly by the hooks 104 and 105. The hook 104 is mounted in a carriage 106, and the hook 105 is mounted in the carriage 111; and these carriages and hooks are moved downwardly so that these hooks extend around the reduced diameter portions 580, slots being provided in the inner ends of the rails 40 for entrance of the hooks in this manner. The carriages 106 and 111 are moved on the ways 107 and 112 under the action of the motor 116, the motor 116 driving the screws 108 and 114 through the shafts 118 and 119 and the gear units 120 and 121. The screws 108 and 114 travel through the nuts 109 and 113 mounted on the upper ends of the carriages 106 and 111, and thus the carriages move along with their hooks on the ways 107 and 112.

As a paper roll located at the bottoms of the ways 107 and 112 is being unwound, a new roll 52 is positioned on the carriages 47 and 48 adjacent the stops 42. The new roll has a strip of splice tape fastened to the end of its web, holding the web end in temporary contact with the roll surface, the splice tape being simply a piece of tape which has sticky material on one or both sides. The paster roll 192 is then moved inwardly slightly toward the expiring roll 52 positioned just beneath the ways 107 and 112, the paster roll being moved into a position which is approximately 1 inch from the periphery of the new large sized parent roll when it is later moved into the unwind position just beneath the ways 107 and 112. This movement of the paster roll 192 is under the action of the motor 199 effective through the screw 1-82, gears 180 and 181, arm 184, sleeve 174 and arms 185 and 185 for this purpose. The speed of web W being withdrawn from the expiring roll is now reduced to a slower speed at which splicing of the new parent roll and the web from the expiring roll can easily take place; the hooks 104 and 105 are lowered so as to embrace the core 53; and the hooks 92 and 8 are withdrawn from about the core 53 by suitably energizing the motors 87 and 94. The motor 65 is then gradually de-energized so that it becomes gradually ineffective to brake the expiring roll 52, and the clutch assembly 69 is disengaged from the core 53 of the roll in unwinding position at the foot of the ways 107 and 112. Simultaneously with the de-energizing of the motor 65, the brake discs 136 and 137 are engaged between the plates 133, 139, 140 and 141 by suitably applying pressure to these plates, so that the braking assembly 37 is then effective to supply whatever braking effect is needed in lieu of the motor 65.

At this time, the hooks 104 and 105 are raised by moving the carriages 106 and 111 upwardly on the ways 107 and 112. The expiring roll is therefore raised into a position as indicated in FIG. 22. The web W from the expiring roll then passes around the roll 154, as illustrated in FIG. 22, to the roll 192. The carriages 106 and 111 in moving upwardly cause the roll 154 to be moved outwardly slightly intoweb W. As previously described, each of these carriages has a cam 163 fixed to it and, as the carriages move upwardly, the rollers 162 enter the cams 163 and travel through them, causing the arms 155, 156, and 161, together with tube 157, to rotate about the center of the tube 157, thus moving the roll 154 into the web W. The tube 157 carries the knife shaft 164 by means of the bearings 165, and the shaft 164 and knife 166 are likewise moved closer to the web W. The roll 154, in particular, was previously positioned to assure clearance for the expiring roll as it is moved upwardly by the hooks 104.

As has been previously described, each of the brackets 151 carries a pair of arms 152, and the hooks 104 and 105 pass between these arms. The core 53 in passing upwardly as carried by the hooks causes the arms 152 to swing upwardly about their pivotal connections with the brackets 151 until the core passes out of engagement with the arms 152, whereupon the arms 152 swing downwardly again under the action of gravity into their illustrated positions.

During this time, the paper web W continues to be withdrawn from the expiring roll 52 carried by the hooks 104 and 105; and after, before and during movement of the expiring roll from its FIG. 21 position to its FIG. 22 position, the braking assembly 37 remains effective for holding the web W from the expiring roll in proper tension.

After the expiring roll 52 has been raised by means of the hooks 104 and 105, the new, full sized parent roll 52, having the strip of tape on its outer surface, is moved into position immediately below the ways 107 and 112. The carriages 47 and 48 are returned to positions below the ways 107 and 112 by suitably actuating the motor 64 for so moving the new roll 52. The clutch assembly 69 is engaged with one end of the core 53 for the new, full sized roll 52 by actuating the motor 78, and the motor 65 is at this time used for driving the new roll 52 through the speed reducer 66 and clutch assembly 69 to bring the peripheral speed of the new roll 52 up to the speed of the web W being withdrawn from the expiring roll 52 held in raised position by the hooks 104 and 105.

When the operator sees the strip of splice tape carried by the new roll 52 approach the paster roll 192, he energizes the motor (see FIG. 17), causing the roll 192 to swing with the arms 193 and move quickly into engagement with the external surface of the new, full sized roll.

52 located beneath the ways 107 and 112. The splicing tape fixed to the end of the web on the new roll 52 thereupon seizes with respect to the web W being withdrawn from the raised expiring roll 52, and web is thus withdrawn from the new roll 52 substantially at the same time as the paster roll 192 is moved to have a pressure nip with the new paper roll 52. As soon as the operator sees the splice leave the nip of the paster roll 192 with the new paper roll 52, the operator causes the knife 166 to be moved into web cutting position by energizing the motor 168 (see FIG. 15). The motor is effective through its piston rod 170, the arm 171, the shaft 164 and the arms 167 for causing this movement of the knife. The web from the expering roll 52 carried by the hooks 104 and 105 is thus cut, and the web W now'proceeds from the 9 new roll 52 disposed at .the bottom ends of the ways 107 and 112. Substantially at the same time as the operator moves the knife 166 to the web cutting position, he also increases the pressure applied to the plates 138 and 141 to increase the braking effect of the braking assembly 37 for the purpose of stopping the rotation of the expired roll 52 held suspended by the hooks 104 and 105. The condition of the machine with the web from the expiring roll 52 being cut and with the new roll supplying web W is illustrated in FIG. 23.

In order to remove the expired roll 52, the carriages 106 and 111, together with the hooks 104 and 105, are lowered. Previously, however, the braking assembly 37 is moved out of driving connection with the core 53 for the expired roll 52 by deflating the inflatable member 132 and moving the shell 131 away from the core 53 by suitably energizing the motor 127. The hooks pass between the arms 152 carried by each of the brackets 151 so that the core 53 of the expired roll 52, particularly the rims 58a and 58b, rests on the arms 152. Since the arms 152 and the surfaces 151a are slanted away from the hooks 104 and 105, the expired roll 52, together with its core 53, roll downwardly until the core reaches the curved end surfaces 15112. The expired roll 52 may then be removed from the brackets 151 by a suitable hoist (see FIG. 24).

If it is desired to move a roll 52 axially when in unwinding position below the ways 107 and 112, this may be accomplished by energizing the motor 90 to move the carriage 82 in one direction or the other. As above described, the carriage 82 supports one end of the roll 52, and the other end is suported by means of the carriage 93. The carriage 93 is centered by means of springs 99 and 100, and the carriage 93 thus moves along with the carriage 82. Such an adjustment axially of the roll 52 may be desirable in view of the fact that sometimes the outermost portions of a paper roll shift slightly, after winding, with respect to the innermost portions of the roll.

The above described machine advantageously provides a continuous web from an expiring paper roll as augmented from a new, full sized roll, with the web from the expiring roll being fastened on to the end of the web on the new paper roll, so that a continuous supply of web is available to subsequent converting apparatus without shutting down the apparatus. The unwinding machine advantageously includes a knife which is simultaneously operative to cut the expiring Web as the new web is passe-d on and fastened to the expiring web, and support means for the expired paper roll located above the new, full sized paper roll by means of which the expired paper roll may be easily removed from the unwinding machine while the new, full sized roll remains in the principal unwinding position and furnishes web to the subsequent converting apparatus.

It will be noted that in all three positions of the roll 52 as it is processed by the machine, namely, in a loading position adjacent the stops 42, in an unwinding position at the foot of the ways 107 and 112 and in an elevated position held suspended by the hooks 104 and 105, the axis of the roll 52 is horizontal, so that the roll has no tendency to move under the effect of gravity. The rails 40 are horizontal, and the only force necessary for moving the roll 52 from its loading position to its unwinding position is the force due to friction of the core 53 on the rails.

We wish it to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific constructions, arrangements and devices shown and described, except only insofar as the claims may be so limited, as it will be understood to those skilled in the art that changes may be made withoutdeparting from the principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In web unwinding apparatus, the combination of a framework for holding a roll of web material in a first horizontal web unwinding position by means of a core extending through the center of the roll, a web guide roll over which the web from the Web material roll may pass 'as it is drawn from the latter, means for engaging with the core of said web material roll and elevating the web material roll from its said first position to a second horizontal unwinding position which is so located that the web from said material roll may continue to pass over said guide roll in said second position and between said two positions, and a support located above said first position for receiving the core of a depleted roll in said second position after release of the core by said engaging means so that the depleted roll may be removed from the machine.

2. In web unwinding apparatus, the combination of a framework having a pair of horizontal support rails for holding a roll of web material in a first horizontal Web unwinding position by means of a core extending through the center of the roll, a web guide roll over which the web may pass from the web material roll as the web is drawn from the latter roll, movable means carried by said framework for engaging the core for elevating the web material roll from its said first position to a second horizontal unwinding position on depletion of the web material roll which is so located that the web may continue to pass around said guide roll in said second position and between said two positions, and a pair of swingable arms located to be swung upwardly by the core when the web material roll is being elevated from its first position to its second position and serving to support the depleted Web material roll by the core as the latter roll is lowered from its second position so that the depleted roll can be removed from the machine, said rails providing a third position for a new roll of web material from which the web material roll can be moved as supported by its core to said first position.

3. In web unwinding apparatus, the combination of a framework for holding a roll of web material in a first horizontal web unwinding position, a web guide roll around which the web may pass from the web material roll as the web is drawn from the latter roll, means for elevating the web material roll from its said first position to a second horizontal unwinding position on depletion of the web material roll which is so located that the web may continue to pass around said guide roll in said second position and between said two positions, a second guide roll supported by said framework located below the depleted web material roll in its said second position and guiding the web from the depleted roll to said first named guide roll, means for moving said second guide roll when the depleted web material roll is elevated to its said second position to allow such movement of the depleted web material roll, and a knife supported by said framework and located so as to cut the pass of the web passing between said guide rolls.

4. In web unwinding apparatus, the combination of a framework for holding a roll of Web material in a first horizontal web unwinding position by means of a core extending through the center of the roll, a web guide roll over which the web from the web material roll may pass as it is drawn form the latter roll, braking mechanism fixed with respect to said framework and effective on one end .of said core for braking rotation of the web material roll as the web is drawn from the roll for maintaining tension on the web, means for engaging the ends of said core for elevating the web material roll from its said first position to a second horizontal unwinding position which is so located that the web from the web material roll may continue to pass over said guide roll in said second position and between said two positions, and auxiliary braking mechanism carried by said engaging means and effective on the other end of said core for braking the rotation of the web material roll as the latter roll is being elevated and after it reaches its said second horizontal unwinding position.

5. In web unwinding apparatus, the combination of a framework for holding a roll of web material in a first horizontal web unwinding position, a web guide roll over which the web may pass from the roll of web material as it is drawn from the latter roll, means for elevating the roll of sheet material from its first position to a second horizontal unwinding position on depletion of the roll which is so located that the web from the roll of web material may continue to pass over said guide roll in said second position and between said two positions, said framework providing a third position for a roll of web material from which a new roll of web material may be horizontally moved to said first position, and means for selectively shifting the roll of web material axially in its said first horizontal web unwinding position.

6. In web unwinding apparatus, the combination of a framework for holding a roll of web material in a first horizontal web unwinding position by means of a core extending through the center of the roll, a web guide roll over which the web from the web material roll may pass as it is drawn from the latter roll, braking mechanism fixed with respect to said framework and effective on the core for braking rotation, of the sheet material roll as the web is drawn from the roll for maintaining tension on the web, means for elevating the web material roll from its first position to a second horizontal unwinding position which is so located that the web from said web material roll may continue to pass over said guide roll in said second position and also between said two positions, and auxiliary braking mechanism movable with said elevating means for engaging the core for braking the rotation of the web material roll as the latter roll is being elevated and after it reaches its said second horizontal unwinding position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,779,546 1/1957 Scott 24258.3 3,163,375 12/1964 Link 242-58.2 3,257,085 6/1966 Riegger 242-58.3

LEONARD D. CHRISTIAN, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN WEB UNWINDING APPARATUS, THE COMBINATION OF A FRAMEWORK FOR HOLDING A ROLL OF WEB MATERIAL IN A FIRST HORIZONTAL WEB UNWINDING POSITION BY MEANS OF A CORE EXTENDING THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE ROLL, A WEB GUIDE ROLL OVER WHICH THE WEB FROM THE WEB MATERIAL ROLL MAY PASS AS IT IS DRAWN FROM THE LATTER, MEANS FOR ENGAGING WITH THE CORE OF SAID WEB MATERIAL ROLL AND ELEVATING THE WEB MATERIAL ROLL FROM ITS SAID FIRST POSITION TO A SECOND HORIZONTAL UNWINDING POSITION WHICH IS SO LOCATED THAT THE WEB FROM SAID MATERIAL ROLL MAY CONTINUE TO PASS OVER SAID GUIDE ROLL IN SAID SECOND POSITION AND BETWEEN SAID TWO POSITIONS, AND A SUPPORT LOCATED ABOVE SAID FIRST POSITION FOR RECEIVING THE CORE OF A DEPLETED ROLL IN SAID SECOND POSITION AFTER RELEASE OF THE CORE BY SAID ENGAGING MEANS SO THAT THE DEPLETED ROLL MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE MACHINE. 